Talk to Your Guide: (605) 252-9100
Private tours of the Black Hills and Badlands with real context and a pace that feels personal.
Iconic Highlights Tours are for travelers who want the “big names” and the deeper story behind them, without racing a clock. We’ll build a full day around your interests, conditions, and timing, so the experience feels calm, personal, and genuinely memorable.
The difference isn’t just where you go. It’s how you move through the day. A good guide turns famous places into a connected story, chooses timing that avoids the worst congestion, and makes space for the moments that weren’t on your original list but end up being the highlight.
You want the iconic stops, plus the “why it matters” context
You prefer a calm pace with time for photos and short walks
You like a flexible plan that adapts to weather, light, and crowds
You want a private experience that feels personal, not packaged
You want help choosing the right mix of Black Hills and Badlands
You want the fastest possible checklist day with tight time stamps
You need guaranteed wildlife sightings or guaranteed empty viewpoints
You want long, strenuous hikes as the main focus
You want a rigid route with zero adjustments
You only want a quick in and out photo stop and nothing more
This is an unhurried, guide led evening built around the best light, the quietest moments, and what the Badlands is actually doing in real time. We’ll follow the flow of sunset first, then ease into the calm that comes after dark, with plenty of space for wildlife watching, photos, and simply being out there.
We aim for smarter timing and better flow so iconic stops feel calmer and more enjoyable.
You’ll get meaningful history, geology, and local insight that connects the dots.
Expect viewpoints, pullouts, easy walks, and photo moments that happen naturally.
We adjust based on light, weather, road conditions, and what you’re enjoying most.
Here are two Sunset and Night Sky Tours in the Badlands that share the same foundation: quieter roads, better light, and a guide who adjusts the plan based on conditions and your pace. One keeps it simple and wraps up after golden hour. The other continues into the night for the full after dark experience, with more time for darkness, stars, and silence.
Best for: First timers who want Mount Rushmore done calmly, with context that makes it matter.
Highlights:
Smart timing to reduce crowds and maximize the experience
Storytelling that connects the monument to the region’s deeper history
Flexible pacing for photos, questions, and short walks
Vibe: Iconic, personal, and paced like a private day, not a checklist.
Best for: Big scenery lovers who want a legendary landmark plus a canyon day that feels refreshing.
Highlights:
Devils Tower with timing that avoids the worst congestion
Spearfish Canyon stops for waterfalls, overlooks, and easy walks
A full day that balances wow moments with breathing room
Vibe: Classic highlights, but still relaxed and nature forward.
Best for: Guests who want the two most famous icons in one day, without feeling rushed.
Highlights:
Mount Rushmore paired with sweeping Badlands landscapes
Route choices based on light, weather, and road conditions
Plenty of time for viewpoints, photos, and real explanation
Vibe: The greatest hits, guided like a custom road trip.
Best for: Anyone who wants the Badlands essentials with better timing and better context.
Highlights:
Key viewpoints and short walks that show the Badlands best angles
Flexible routing based on crowds, light, and conditions
Geology and natural history explained in plain language
Vibe: Pure Badlands, done thoughtfully and efficiently.
If you want the most classic Black Hills icon with a calm, focused pace, start with the Private Mount Rushmore Tour. If you want Mount Rushmore plus a full dose of wide open drama, choose Mount Rushmore and the Big Badlands.
If you’re craving a legendary landmark with a totally different feel and a canyon day that’s all about scenery and fresh air, go with Devils Tower and Spearfish Canyon Adventure. If you want the Badlands in its purest form with smart timing, great light, and the most flexibility inside the park, choose the Badlands National Park Tour. Tell me your group size, mobility comfort, and the scenery you’re hoping to feel most, and I’ll point you to the best fit fast.
You’ll get clear communication, a private guide, and a plan that stays flexible on purpose. If weather shifts, we adjust. If a stop is packed, we pivot. Your day stays centered on what matters most to you, with pacing that feels calm and human, not rushed and transactional.
Don't just take our word for it.
See what our clients have to say.
Our clients love experiencing the best tours with us.
★★★★★2 weeks agoWe spent two days touring with Daniel and learning so much about the beauty and diversity of South Dakota. He has so much knowledge. We have done tours all over the world and Daniel is perhaps the most knowledgable and entertaining guide we’ve ever had. We think if you want to really experience South Dakota, give XO Adventures a call!
★★★★★2 months agoMy husband and I just took a My XO Adventures Badlands “sunset and golden hour” photo tour from Retired Dan. It was phenomenal - and highly recommended! He picked us up a bit before 3:00 p.m. and whisked us off to Badlands National Park. Along the way he gave us some history about the development of the Rapid City area, and how it’s connected to this land. The photos started once we entered the park, with some prairie dogs and cattle. We quickly started shooting the stunning geography. Then we became the subjects as well! Dan challenged us to climb to “just to right spots” to get some spectacular shots. As the sun started setting and the “golden hour” arrived, we were treated to a real show by Mother Nature. Once the stars came out, Dan gave us some astronomy lessons - and helped us capture some great shots of the Milky Way. Along the way, Dan made sure to stop for bio breaks, ensured we had snacks, and were well hydrated (it’s super-dry here). We also stopped for dinner (everyone packs their own) after witnessing the glorious sunset. We cannot recommend this experience enough!
★★★★★a month agoMy husband and I think this is the BEST way to experience the National Parks like Rushmore and the Black Hills. A private tour with our guide, Logan, driving so that we could both take in the scenic views and learn the history/ background of the park. I did not know that Iron Mtn road was created to show us multiple views of Rushmore on our way.. and the reason homesteaders thought the hills were black ! Multiple stops, hikes, lunch, private places to enjoy the wonder! Logan was very knowledgeable, (biology, history, animal sighting) and made the day fun and enjoyable!!! Highly recommend!!
★★★★★2 months agoI can’t recommend this company and its wonderful guides enough. The experience from beginning to end was seamless and stress free. Having never been to this part of the country, we booked back to back days to make sure we got the chance to really see/experience all that this beautiful land had to offer and to learn more about the Lakota. The tour guides were knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and fun! If you’re lucky enough to get a Dan - there are two and we had both, you’ll have an amazing tour. The tour was not a scripted presentation - it was a thoughtful, customized and engaging experience that exceeded our expectations! Dan brought in a Native American educator named Jake who joined us for the trip and shared with us his perspective. Don’t think twice about booking with My XO Adventures, an awesome adventure awaits you!
★★★★★4 months agoAn unparalleled experience for wildlife professionals and enthusiasts alike!
My son and I, both biologists, recently joined Logan for the Wildlife Biologist’s Field Expedition in the Badlands and outer prairie lands of South Dakota. To put it simply, we had an amazing time.
This tour is truly one-of-a-kind; it is the only one in the region that provides such deep access to both the Badlands and the surrounding prairie ecosystems. What really set this experience apart was how Logan customized the entire day to match our specific interests. It was immediately evident that Logan isn’t just a guide—he has genuine, extensive field experience in tracking and working with wildlife, and his knowledge of both biology and local history is top-notch.
The logistics were perfect. We traveled comfortably in his roomy, air-conditioned van, which allowed us to navigate between optimal wildlife viewing locations with ease. He even provided extra sets of high-quality binoculars, which were a great touch. Throughout the trip, he took professional-grade photos of the wildlife and shared them with us, providing a fantastic memento of the day.
We had incredible sightings, including prairie dogs, burrowing owls, bison, a bald eagle, several pronghorns, and mule deer. If you are a wildlife enthusiast looking for a professional, expert-led expedition, I cannot recommend Logan’s tour enough.
